allophane

[ al-uh-feyn ]

noun

1. a clay mineral, an amorphous hydrous silicate of aluminum, occurring in blue, green, or yellow, resinous to earthy masses.

allophane

/ ˈæləˌfeɪn /

noun

1. a variously coloured amorphous mineral consisting of hydrated aluminium silicate and occurring in cracks in some sedimentary rocks

Word History and Origins

Origin of allophane¹

1835–45; < Greek allophanḗs, equivalent to allo- allo- + phan- (stem of phaínesthai to appear) + -ēs adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of allophane¹

C19: from Greek allophanēs appearing differently, from allo- + phainesthai to appear

Example Sentences

Allophane, a hydrous aluminium silicate, with the composition Al2SiO5 + 5H2O, forming crusts in the cavities of various rocks and commonly of a delicate blue colour.

From Project Gutenberg